Pacific Nations Cup: Canada overhauls lineup for match with Samoa

CBC

According to Rugby Canada, head coach Kieran Crowley has made wholesale changes to his lineup for Wednesday night's Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) match against Samoa at BMO Field in Toronto.

Following Friday's 28-18 defeat to Tonga, changes have been made 12 of the 15 starting spots. Captain Tyler Ardron and John Moonlight keep their places at No.8 and openside flanker respectively, while Matt Evans will moves to the wing.

Djustice Sears-Duru will get his first test start for Canada at prop. Ray Barkwill and Doug Wooldridge, who started in Canada's 20-6 loss to Japan, are back in the lineup.

Evan Olmstead will make his test debut for Canada and will line up alongside Tyler Hotson at lock. Kyle Gilmour, who came off the bench against Tonga, will start at blindside flanker.

Sevens duo Phil Mack and Nathan Hirayama get the call at scrum and fly half, while Nick Blevins and Conor Trainor start in centre. Phil Mackenzie will start on the other wing and Canada's all-time leading point scorer James Pritchard will see his first action of the 2015 PNC at fullback.

Canada has never beaten Samoa in four attempts. The two sides last met in November in a 23-13 win for Samoa.

Tickets to Wednesday's triple-header are available at events.rugbycanada.ca